The Bridewell — Restaurant in Liverpool

Historically, we discovered this place by accident trying to get home from a Giants event... massive crowds all heading to the station and we knew we'd never get a train and ducked in. I loved the jail cells, historic Charles Dickens plaque and the fact that if you got a cell, you were guaranteed a quiet drink. Since then, my parents visited from America, we took them. Had a gaming event in town, took a friend there afterwards. Then Covid happened and somewhere the place changed hands. So last Friday one friend and I snuck out for lunch and drinks in Liverpool when it looked like a full second lockdown was inevitable.... had the best time here. I think they removed some of the Victorian relics of the jail and added a few extra tables in the cells...but the service was great, and the gent who presumably owned the place talked to me enough to know there was a famous song about my hometown and played it twice on the house music system. "What made Milwaukee Famous..." Oh, and I was with a cider drinker, and they had it. I wanted a Aperol spritz and they did it. My husband loves Shipyard beer and they had it. Just visit and...

I love the Bridewell, it’s my favourite pub in Liverpool. I don’t get to visit as often as I like, but whenever I’m in the city centre with my wife or I have friends and family visiting, I’ll take them to the Bridewell if there’s time.

Firstly it’s a unique pub because it’s an old Police station, but the lay out, be it in the beer garden, by the bar or the cells, it’s a really nice venue to have drinks in whenever you find yourself. Then there’s the staff; to each man and woman they’re a class act. Friendly, knowledgeable, quick to serve and will happily chat with you. There’s a barman with long curly hair who’s name I wish I knew who is particularly friendly and helpful, but all the staff are a credit to the pub.

The drink selection is great, there are multiple tv screens and live sport, some fantastic memorabilia on the walls, particularly for Everton fans (I’m West Ham) and it’s very, very clean, including the men’s toilets, which isn’t the case often in many other pubs.

If you’re a local or a visitor to the fine city of Liverpool, I’d definitely add the Bridewell to your list of...

Really disappointing experience. We were told my friend (who is gay) could not be served alcohol because he was ‘too drunk’ despite him being in a perfectly coherent state. I asked the manager why this was the case and he repeatedly told me he did not need to give me a reason as he was the licensee and if we were supportive friends we should have gone elsewhere. He claimed my friend walked straight into the bar and into several people but refused to give any CCTV evidence of this on the grounds that he is the licensee and does not need to provide a reason. He repeatedly pointed in my face in an aggressive manner, despite me asking twice for him not to do so. He suggested we would be better off drinking elsewhere as other places may be less ‘strict.’ We were also subjected to homophobic abuse by the clientele as we left the bar. A really sad and disappointing experience, very ashamed that anywhere in my home city would display such a lack of inclusivity. Needless to say we will not be returning and I would certainly not recommend this...